Local production to shore up supply chain
Business SA understands supply chain issues are prevalent across the board in the South Australian business community and wants to learn more through its quarterly expectations survey.
For many, business success throughout COVID-19 has been about survival, keeping the doors open and weathering the storm. For Link Assistive, though, a deserving client group needed their digital assistive technologies.
This South Australian success story Link Assistive provides tech solutions to support face-to-face communication and control over home appliances. This support even includes powered wheelchairs controlled through eye movements.
Link Assistive was not wholly immune to the impacts of the global pandemic. The primary impacts emerged from border restrictions. They experienced significant delays in their supply chain with certain products unavailable, many delayed, and interstate installations of their cutting-edge interactive sensory spaces delayed.
Business SA Chief Executive Andrew Kay says these supply chain issues are prevalent across the board in the South Australian business community.
“To understand the extent of this impact, we’ve included a series of questions in the June-quarter Business SA William Buck Survey of Business Expectations,” Kay says.
“I encourage all business owners to let us know how they have been impacted as it helps us, as the peak employer representative body, to provide the right support, advice and advocacy.”
For Link Assistive, the recent move into the Tonsley Innovation Precinct brings incredible opportunities. Their new purpose-built space nestles them right between Siemens and TAFE in front of the main assembly building. This gives prime access to the area they need to deliver their equipment and tech from around the world.
The opportunity to partner with local manufacturers is exciting for Managing Director Bas Tijdhof, who has already commenced discussions with a neighbouring 3D printer to produce parts locally.
“Networking works,” Bas says.
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“At a Tonsley networking session, I started talking to another local company about a collaboration. I can see many more opportunities like this now that we are based at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct.”
Collaboration is essential to the Link Assistive story to the point that Bas says he is willing to collaborate with his competition if that is what the client needs. This niche industry goes to the limits to ensure the individual gets the solution they need.
Bas is clear that his staff are not salespeople, ‘we’re not selling cars’ he states. Instead, they are clinicians and therapists who want to provide the best solutions for their clients.
This is the tech that gives people back their deserved independence.
If you have experienced cost pressures as a result of supply chain delays, then Business SA wants to hear from you.
